The Magic of Retrograde Season
Just as winter is part of nature’s cycle, a retrograde holds a “Reflective” energy - a going in, a changing of planetary energy and divine purpose from the players OUTSIDE of yourself, to all that’s happening inside. It’s a season of integration. This means we are applying what we’ve learned or experienced during the direct motion of the planets, into new thought patterns, actions, boundaries and goals.
Venus will be the first leaving the retrograde space on September 3rd - this retrograde, which happens every two years - puts a magnifying glass on the way we do relationships and finances. We may have had a few budget talks, or had some life review around past loves, love patterns, and the way we have given up our autonomy, or on the plus side, where we are doing relationships in a positive way for ourselves.
Below are some ‘need to know’ insights on the other retrogrades. Remember - these are generalities - it’s important to access your natal chart on your own or with a professional astrologer to know exactly where these retrogrades are hitting in your chart.
Mercury (the way we think) in Virgo until Sept. 16:
How you organize your life, your level of discipline and organization will be highlighted. Where have you been scattered and where do you need to tighten up the reins on life planning? Remember that Virgo energy tends to over-analyze and seek perfection. When things get chaotic during a Mercury retrograde, it’s testing the chinks in your process. It wants to show you where you can be more disciplined, but ironically shows you where perfection is impossible, and to accept your gifts in their raw form.
Jupiter (expansion and magnification) in Taurus: Sept. 4-Dec. 31
How is your self-worth? This retrograde asks you to fin the areas where you can build your self esteem and understand your value isn’t something you earn, but something that you are. Taurus likes to move thoughtfully, slowly, step-by-step. It understands there is a process to establishing worth and value, even if that’s slowly changing our own opinion of ourselves.
Saturn (responsibilities) in Pisces until Nov. 4
Saturn has been in retrograde since June. The planet of discipline, commitment, structure and boundaries asks us to look at what we’ve invested our time in and how that’s working for us. We may need a reality check - what have we been pouring our energy into and is it yielding results? Do we need to reassess and change some things? Saturn in Pisces also asks us to look at our spiritual beliefs and may be asking us to spend more time in that space of honoring our soul and spirit in order to build a strong foundation in life and work. We may find that some elements of religion don’t align spiritually with us anymore, or we’ve been disappointed. How can we shift to either an attitude change or a new way of living spiritually more aligned to our soul?
Uranus in Taurus (change and individuality) until Jan. 27 2024
Uranus wants us now to break out of the box and change - try new things, think differently, react differently, choose differently. Stagnation will feel yucky now - we crave a different way to interact with our life. Even if you have to do something really wild that makes everyone look at you like you’re crazy - do it. Breathe life back into your routine. This one is a great one to check into on your chart - you’ll see some pretty cool things happening in that house theme that it’s traveling for you.
Neptune in Pisces (creativity, illusion) until Dec. 6 2023
This retrograde drops the veil of illusion and wants you to see the truth. Sometimes that causes blocks in creativity or some difficult ‘wake-up’ moments. What you need to remember is this - sometimes blocks are exactly what you need to deepen your creative process or focus elsewhere for a bit. Also, when the rose-colored glasses come off in a relationship or work situation, you can finally see things as they are and work on a solution, rather than be at the mercy of illusions.
Pluto in Capricorn/Aquarius (power, transformation) Until Oct. 10, 2023
Since May, we’ve felt the energy of Pluto retrograde - Pluto is all about transformation - and during its retrograde, this is more powerful, not less. We will face issues around power and control dynamics, and Pluto challenges us to let go and let die - so that we can experience re-birth. Pluto is the alchemist, and doesn’t make room for superficial change. Where Pluto is transiting in your chart will show you where this material and spiritual transformation is taking place. (in the Capricorn and Aquarius areas of our chart)
